Boycott against Xiao Zhan Incident

The Boycott against Xiao Zhan Incident, also known as 227 incident, is a conflict that originated between fans of Chinese actor Xiao Zhan and Archive of Our Own fanfiction readers in China. On February 24, 2020, some Xiao Zhan's fans found that a fanfiction novel named "下坠" written by an Archive of Our Own user named "MaiLeDiDiDi" insulted Xiao Zhan, and tip-off the website to the Chinese government.[1][2] On February 29, the Great Firewall of China blocked Archive of Our Own and drew the ire of many of the site's users, Xiao Zhan was deeply involved in the boycott storm.[1][2][3][4][5]

Background

On January 30, 2020, an Archive of Our Own user named "MaiLeDiDi" started to serialize a fanfiction novel named "Falling"(下坠) on Archive of Our Own and Lofter, it's about Xiao Zhan and his The Untamed co-star Wang Yibo. At about 13:00 on February 24, a Sina Weibo user "迪迪出逃记" posted AO3 and Lofter links in chapters 12 and 13 of this novel on Sina Weibo.[1]Users "一只汐哥哥" and "一个执白" drew the picture for the novel.[6]

On February 26, 2020, Some of Xiao Zhan's fans claimed that the novel contains obscene pornographic content and the feminization description of Xiao Zhan,it's an insult to Xiao Zhan and denounced it on Sina Weibo.[3]The author "迪迪出逃记" and the painter "一只汐哥哥" and "一个执白" are the main targets of criticism.[6]"来碗甜粥吗"[7] and "巴南区小兔赞比"[8], the "opinion leaders" among Xiao Zhan's fans, are regarded as the leaders of this report. In a Weibo post at about 19:00 on February 26, "巴南区小兔赞比" said that "actors and their fans" do not need to "accept vulgar underage prostitution literature based on artists"and "such behaviour not only infringes on the artist's reputation, but also pollutes the online environment and brings down a large number of underage fans who lack judgement".[9] Shortly after on February 27, 2020, AO3 was blocked in mainland China.[10]

227 Incident

The censorship of AO3 caused controversy among AO3 users. Their resentment was further amplified by controversial behaviors of some of Xiao Zhan's fans.[11][12] They claimed Xiao Zhan should take personal responsibility for his fans' actions.[2][13] A section of AO3 users called for a protest on Xiao Zhan endorsed products and flooded the brand's pages with negative comments.[14] They formed a Weibo supertopic group called "227 (February 27) Memorial Day". [15] This led to increasing cyber violence towards Xiao Zhan, fans, and bystanders, such as host He Jiong, who was attacked by the group following a rumour Xiao Zhan would appear on his show.[16][17] Some accounts that led online attacks and harassment against Xiao Zhan were labelled as paid, "professional" anti-fans.[18] On July 24,2020, 227's supertopic group on Weibo was shut down.[19] Subsequently, state media criticised "professional" anti-fans for the promotion of hatred, attacking the state media, attacking public offices and causing many public disputes to fulfil their boycotting actions.[20]

Apology from Xiao Zhan Studio

On March 1, 2020, Xiao Zhan's studio issued a statement on Weibo apologizing for taking up public resources during the COVID-19 period and for causing troubles to the public. [21][22][4]

"Light Spot" Controversy

At midnight on April 25, 2020, Xiao Zhan dropped a new single called "Light Spot" without prior notice. The single cost 3 RMB per download and was sold 30 million times within 94 hours. Fans stated that no one was forced to stream "Light Spot" and said minors would not be eligible to apply for loans in the first place. [23]

Xiao Zhan's Interview with Economic View

On May 6, 2020, Xiao Zhan was interviewed by Economic View for his opinions on the 227 Incident. He was, at the time, also attacked by internet users for controversial remarks made on Weibo during his college years. Xiao Zhan apologized for his old posts and expressed his confusion toward what had happened since February 27, 2020. He disagreed, however, with the view that idols need to be responsible for fan's behaviors as he noted idols and fans should be equals, and idols are not superiors to fans. He also said he would guide fans by being a positive role model, and that he hoped they would live their lives well and won't do anything extreme that would hurt others or themselves.[24]

Xiao Zhan's Fan Association Under Re-Organization

On May 15, 2020, Xiao Zhan's Weibo fan association announced they were in the process of being reorganized. [25]

Initiation of Criminal Case by Beijing City Chaoyang District Police Office

On May 20, 2020, Xiao Zhan's attorney released an announcement on Weibo that with the help of Beijing City Chaoyang District Police Offices, they've initiated a criminal case for "The Crime of Illegal Use of Information Network" for the violation of Xiao Zhan's rights.[26]

Weibo Closed Anti Leader Accounts, Unofficial Toxic Accounts and 227 Supertopic Group

On July 5, 2020, Weibo closed and banned some anti leader accounts of 227 group due to the attacks on state agencies, central media, and interference with the normal operation of enterprises. Weibo stated that they provide interest and social functions for the production and consumption of content for various fields including celebrities and entertainment but the promotion of hatred, especially attacks on state agencies and official media organizations, interfering with the normal operation of enterprises, and acts suspected of breaking the law will be handled in accordance with community rules.[27]

On July 14, 2020, Weibo posted about fan guidance and management. Weibo believed that influential public figures and celebrities have the obligation of guiding and restraining fan behavior mainly through official fan organizations. They contacted Xiao Zhan Studio and suggested that the idol's working team should strengthen the positive guidance and restraint ability of the fan group, unofficial accounts, and organizations whose improper behavior use the banner of the idol and are suspected of breaking the law should not be turned a blind eye to. Xiao Zhan Studio agreed with the suggestions made by Weibo and made it clear that they will actively cooperate and support the management of the platform on the issue of official and unofficial organizations. Weibo closed some unofficial accounts that were using Xiao Zhan's name to promote hatred and conflicts [28]

Xiao Zhan Studio Apology and The Cooperation With Weibo

On July 14, 2020, Following Weibo's announcement, Xiao Zhan Studio posted that they acknowledged their duties and expressed their apologies. Xiao Zhan Studio was initially established in hopes of creating better communication between Xiao Zhan and the public and to share Xiao Zhan's positive values to the society, but within 9 months of their establishment, they still have not reached their goals. They admitted their lack of fan guidance and lack of accurately responding to negative impressions that led to large-scale conflicts between some groups and varying media, disturbing innocent people, and causing trouble for related departments and everyone's work. Xiao Zhan Studio also stated that they reject fights and insults, reject instigating oppositions between groups, reject irrational spending by minors and reject hurting others for any reason. They are also aware of their responsibility and duties and will actively guide fans, calling for a stop to the promotion of hate and will cooperate with the platform to maintain a healthy online environment [29]

On July 17, 2020, Xiao Zhan studio once again called for fans' restraint and to follow their 4 main guidelines : (1) Don't participate in mass voting, mass commenting on social media, or do large fan support activities. (2) Don't fight or insult others or instigate and provoke group oppositions. (3) Buy endorsements and works based on everyone's financial ability (especially for minor fans to not overspend) (4) Focus on your school and work first, before paying attention to the artist's works in film and music. Xiao Zhan Studio hopes that everyone can live their own lives well and think independently and grow facing the sun to be better people. [30]

References
  1. 高丹 (March 7, 2020). 张喆 (ed.). 观察/肖战事件及二次元的“升维打击”. 澎湃新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  2. "肖战被粉丝坑·代言遭集体抵制" [Xiao Zhan was collectively boycotted by fan pits and endorsements]. 星洲日报 [Sin Chew Daily] (in Chinese). 2020-03-02.
  3. 陈圣雅 (2020-03-01). "同人小说平台ao3被举报，肖战深陷抵制风波" [Fanfiction platform ao3 was reported, Xiao Zhan was deeply involved in the boycott storm]. 凤凰网. Archived from the original on 2020-03-01. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  4. 李湘文 (2020-03-01). "不爽偶像被寫進同人文…肖戰粉絲「聯手滅掉AO3」用戶怒炸！ 工作室道歉了". ETtoday新聞雲. Archived from the original on 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  5. 李红笛 (March 11, 2020). 肖战事件:是非曲直如何评说. 检察日报 [Procuratorial Daily] (in Chinese). Beijing: Supreme People's Procuratorate. doi:10.28407/n.cnki.njcrb.2020.000877. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020.
  6. 董雨晴; 徐曼菲; 赵怡然 (March 2, 2020). 嵇国华 (ed.). 以肖战之名：一场事先张扬的举报. AI财经社. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  7. 王陆 (March 11, 2020). 刘彬 (ed.). 不能任由粉丝喜好毁了同人文化. 检察日报 [Procuratorial Daily] (in Chinese). Beijing: Supreme People's Procuratorate. doi:10.28407/n.cnki.njcrb.2020.000878. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  8. 朴芳, ed. (March 3, 2020). "肖战们，畸形粉圈文化下的受害者". 界面新闻 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2020-03-04. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
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